Why is pure acetic acid often called glacial acetic acid?

Why is pure acetic acid often called glacial acetic acid?

In the chemical industry, many people may hear the term "glacial acetic acid" and associate it with pure acetic acid. Why is pure acetic acid often called glacial acetic acid? In order to better understand this problem, we can analyze the physical characteristics of pure acetic acid, the origin of its name and its application in the chemical industry.

Pure acetic acid physical properties

Pure acetic acid, the chemical formula is CHLover COOH, is a colorless liquid with a strong sour and pungent odor. At room temperature, pure acetic acid will be liquid, but its melting point is 16.6°C, that is, at temperatures below 16.6°C, pure acetic acid will crystallize into a solid. Therefore, when the ambient temperature drops to this critical value, pure acetic acid will become solid, like ice. It is precisely because of this characteristic that pure acetic acid is vividly called "glacial acetic acid" in the cured state ".

Why is pure acetic acid called "glacial acetic acid"?

Pure acetic acid, when cooled below its melting point, crystallizes into a colorless, transparent solid that is so similar in appearance and touch to ice that it is sometimes called "glacial acetic acid". Although "glacial acetic acid" is not pure ice, but this name reflects its crystalline state and acetic acid liquid at room temperature obvious difference. When many chemicals or chemical solutions appear in the solid state at low temperatures, they may be given a name similar to the word "ice" because of their appearance.

Glacial acetic acid and acetic acid difference

It is worth noting that "glacial acetic acid" is not a new chemical substance, it is only a form of pure acetic acid at a specific low temperature. Whether it is liquid acetic acid or solid "glacial acetic acid", their chemical properties and molecular structure are the same. The only difference is the change of physical state. Therefore, glacial acetic acid usually refers to undiluted, anhydrous pure acetic acid, its solution concentration is very high, and has a strong acidity.

IMPORTANCE OF ACETIC ACID IN INDUSTRY

As an important raw material in the chemical industry, glacial acetic acid is widely used in plastics, textiles, dyes, synthetic fibers and other fields. Because of its strong acidity, pure acetic acid is often used in catalytic reactions, chemical synthesis and the preparation of various solvents. In these applications, the high concentration of glacial acetic acid makes it better as a catalyst or intermediate for chemical reactions.

Conclusion

In summary, pure acetic acid is often called "glacial acetic acid" mainly because it crystallizes into an ice-like solid when it is below 16.6°C. This physical property gives it the name. Although "glacial acetic acid" is the performance of pure acetic acid in the solid state, it is no different from ordinary acetic acid in chemical properties. Therefore, understanding the nomenclature of glacial acetic acid and its importance in industry will help us to better understand the many applications of this chemical.